New Chartbook Examines Contraceptive Access and Equity Across New Jersey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – A comprehensive new chartbook released by the New Jersey Family Planning League (NJFPL or the League) in partnership with Rutgers School of Public Health faculty provides a detailed synthesis of key indicators on contraceptive use, provider availability, and program reach across New Jersey.
While the majority of New Jerseyans capable of becoming pregnant utilize contraceptive methods, the chartbook highlights significant regional and demographic variations, pointing to persistent gaps in care, service availability, and health equity.
Grounded in a reproductive justice framework, which emphasizes bodily autonomy, equitable care access, and the social conditions required to make meaningful productive decisions, the chartbook underscores that true access extends beyond method availability to encompass full patient autonomy and support.
The chartbook is designed to inform policy, guide resource allocation, and support cross-agency coordination. Key takeaways include:
Most women in New Jersey use contraception, primarily short-acting methods and condoms
Gaps between preferred and used methods are more common among women facing financial or insurance-related constraints.
Need for publicly funded contraceptive services is concentrated among young people, lower-income communities, and communities of color, and is unevenly distributed across the state.
Summarizing its findings with five recommendations for strengthening contraceptive care in New Jersey, this chartbook serves as an evidence-based foundation for strengthening New Jersey’s reproductive health infrastructure and advancing patient-centered care.
About the New Jersey Family Planning League
For over 50 years, NJFPL has championed reproductive freedom by supporting and collaborating with a network of providers, patients and communities across New Jersey to ensure that everyone has access to a wide range of high-quality, compassionate sexual and reproductive care – no matter their identity, income, or insurance status. We sustain and strengthen a vetted network of 22 agencies operating 71 health centers across New Jersey through funding, training and strategic guidance, so care never disappears where it’s needed most.
Learn more about our work at njfpl.org
About the Rutgers School of Public Health
Founded in 1983, the Rutgers School of Public Health is New Jersey’s only accredited school of public health. With locations in Newark and New Brunswick, the school is dedicated to advancing health and well-being in New Jersey and beyond through high-quality education, innovative research, and meaningful community engagement. Offering in-person, online, and hybrid master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificates, the school prepares the next generation of public health leaders, practitioners, and researchers while addressing some of the most pressing health challenges facing communities locally, nationally, and globally.
Learn more at sph.rutgers.edu
Media Contact
Anita Kanoje, Communications & Development Director | anita@njfpl.org